Attention all bear spotters

A BBC filmmaker is asking all Whistlerites to keep their eyes peeled for any bears around town.

Paul Stewart, wildlife cameraman for the BBC Natural History Unit, is working on a film about the black bears in Whistler.

It was five years ago that the BBC made another film, called In the Company of Bears, with local bear expert Michael Allen.

The new film will focus on the relationship between the bears and people in Whistler. The only glitch to the filmmaking is that berries are abundant this year and fewer bears have been spotted around town. Thats good for the bears and the residents but not so good for the footage.

Stewart is filming until mid-October and if anyone spots a bear in their garden or neighbourhood, he would like them to call his cell phone at 604-907-0164 from sunrise to sunset.

He hastens to add that people should not approach any bears on behalf of the BBC.